Crossing

When I'm shooting I find that composition is as important to me as subject. This image is part of the Skyscape (Braille) series. The negative space in the photograph is filled with prose translated into Braille and laid on the surface. I asked some friends and family to give me their poetic impressions, which I had translated into Braille, adding another layer of impression. I'd like to hear what kind of picture a blind person would conjure up out of that description. Art, especially photography, is often considered too precious to touch. Here, I am asking you to touch. I want the sighted viewer to brush up against the inevitable mystery of expression and the blind viewer to read the photo, to reach across the boundary. I like the idea of people reaching out to touch the image. In a sense, I am reaching out to touch the viewer, and I like the idea of that reach returning.  –Artist statement